Middlebury Claims Men's Soccer Championship in Quadruple-Overtime

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. – First-year forward Reed Gahagan scored his first collegiate goal with 12:20 remaining in the fourth overtime to give Middlebury a 1-0 win over host Williams in the NESCAC Men's Soccer Championship.

The Ephs are now 15-1-0 and are almost guaranteed to receive an at-large bid into the NCAA tournament, while the Panthers improve to 13-2-3 on the year, and earn an automatic spot in the NCAA bracket with the win.

The game was a frustrating one for Williams, as they out-shot their opponents 37 to 15 and had countless golden scoring opportunities slip through their fingers, or slip into the fingers of Panther goalkeeper, Brian Hamm, as was often the case. Hamm was magnificent, making several saves on point-blank shots, including a fingertip swipe at a ball inches from the goal-line in the second half. The overtime periods were chock full of near-misses for the Ephs. NESCAC's leading scorer, sophomore striker Alex Blake, scored a goal in the first extra frame which was called back due to offsides. Twice in extra time did Blake hit the crossbar, in addition to stumbling on a wide open chance moments into the third 15 minute period. Middlebury defenders twice cleared an Eph shot off the goal line, and repeatedly stymied the Ephs on corner kicks.

The deciding goal came in the 138th minute of play on a Panther counterattack. Sophomore forward Kyle Dezotell made a strong run down the left sideline, eventually crossing the ball into the Eph's penalty area. Gahagan rushed into the box with the play and his header beat the Ephs' senior keeper, Ryan Spicer on the right side of the net.

2000 NESCAC MEN'S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
First Round - Tuesday, Oct. 31 at Higher Seeds
at No. 2 Bowdoin 2, No. 7 Connecticut College 0
at No. 3 Middlebury 3, No. 6 Wesleyan 1
No. 5 Amherst 1 at No. 4 Tufts 0

Semifinals - Saturday, Nov. 4 at Williams
at No. 1 Williams 2, No. 5 Amherst 0
No. 3 Middlebury 1, vs. No. 2 Bowdoin 1 - 2OT
Middlebury advances on Penalty Kicks, 4-2

Championship - Sunday, Nov. 5 at Williams
No. 3 Middlebury 1, at No. 1 Williams 0 - 4OT